The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1887-01-26
FAUST AND MEPHISTOPH
ELES.
by w. III. :. ATKINSON.

A large and fashionable crowd thronged
Steinway Hall, New York. Usually a New
York audience, selected from the upper
ten thousand, is not very demonstrative-
especially over a new aspirant for its appre-
citation and favors. But on the occasion of
the debut of Miss Alta Alwyn as public
singer, New York society forgot itself. The
new song-bird became a favorite before
she had finished her first number a diff
cult "show-piece" in Itallan-and when,
for an encore, she gave, with pathos and
richness of tone, the tender and familiar
"Swanee River" the great audience rose
en- masse and cheered to the echo, while
costly bouquets fell i'll profusion at the
feet of the young artist. And Alta Alwtn
was happy, supremacy happy. Such n
night, such a success as this, had been her
one cherished dream during four long
years of incessant toll and study.
Alta Alwyn was not III love-had never
been in love, and was a total stranger 10
Dan Cupid and his tricks. The ruling
passion of her Young life had been ambi-
Gion desire TO excel in her chosen pro-
fession.
Now that the first step on the road to
fame had been taken, now that she found,
at the very outset all the wealth and fash
ion of wealth and fashions metropolis at
her feet, she was happy.
Two other PEI sons in that brilliant as
sembly were also elated AZ Alta Alwyn's
success. One of these was her tutor and
manager, Signor Rivera; the other was Mr..
Richard Cameron, wealthy young New
York banker. The cause for Signor Ri
vera's satisfaction is obvious; Dick
Cameron's unusually bright eye and flushed
cheek will require some explanation.
ON the morning after the concert, Miss
AIwyn sat alone in her morning room. The
pretty apartment was filled with the rich
perfume from thousand roses-the offer
ings of the previous evening-while side
table was literally stacked with notes con-
tanning congratulations and invitations
from great people. anxious to cultivate the
acquaintance of this rising star.
Alta Alwyn was very beautiful woman;
indeed, one word alone is fitting to prop
.erly describe her charming appearance.
She was magnificent.
With youth, beauty, talent, and assured
success. life just then seemed all sunshine
to her, and the reyerie in which she in
dulged was a very pleasant one. In the
midst of II n servant announced Mr.. Cam
eron." A slight shadow darkened the fair
artists brow for a moment. Only for a
moment, however, for neither annoyance
lOi tACGbSlNc DltdSult Ntlt dASbclillblC
her countenance, as with cool Indifference
she babe her caller good morning"
Il suppose" said Mr.. Cameron, who
was peculiarly handsome man, perhaps
thirty years of age, Il suppose congratu-
lations are in order, Alta only congrat-
ulations would be idle, common place
words coming from me. You know how
more than pleased | am at your success,
viewed merely as a success; and then there
is something else.
Miss Alwyn toyed with a rose, but an
swered nothing.
Alta" continued Dick Cameron, "three
gears ago loved you-love you now. Three
years ago / wished to make you my wife,
out you refused and babe me wait until the
wish of your life, the desire to shine as a
successful singer, should become an ac-
complished fact. Your wish is now full
filed your success is greater than you
could ever have dreamed it would be; and
now l am come to claim your promise.
Will you keep it, Alta?"
Miss Alwyn's eyes dropped, and she con-
tinued to pluck the petals from the lovely
rose in her hand. Suddenly she raised
her eyes and addressed her companion.
"Dick, | will not pretend that do not un-
my promise. j am not n woman, Dick; |
am an artist. Where my heart should be
is nothing but ambition. l do not love
YOU, but do love music; do love the APP
plause of listening crowds, and / do love
fame. l could never make you happy,
Dick, and as your wife / am certain life
foe me would be one long regret. You
have been very good to me, Dick, always,
and / appreciate, more than | seem to,
your goodness. But please go away and
forget me, for 1 cannot fulfill my old
promise"